Cobblestone structures of Wayne County project

Collection

Identifier: D.435

Staff Only

Biographical/Historical note

The Cobblestone Structures of Wayne County was the project of Verlyn Klahn, a high school senior in Newark, New York in 1954. It was his entry for the Hoffman Foundation Scholarship Program, established "for the purpose of granting financial assistance and encouraging research in matters of historical or civic interest in Wayne County." During the previous year (1953-54), Verlyn had "traversed hundreds of miles, dug into numerous yellowing newspapers, letters, deeds and old records, and . . . talked with hundreds of people." The end result fills six binders.

Scope and Contents

In addition to the long essay that sums up his findings, Verlyn created an individual record for each of the 152 cobblestone structures located in Wayne County. These generally consist of a photograph or two of the building, some historical background, and information about the current owners, as well as a listing of architectural details about the stones, joints, mortar, lintels, quoins, and sides. A few include old newspaper accounts quoted in their entirety. Most of the structures were private homes by the 1950s but had served other functions in the past.

Dates

Creation: 1954

Language of Materials

English

Extent

1 box(es) (6 binders)

Access

The Cobblestone Structures of Wayne County Project is open for research use. Researchers are advised to contact the Rare Books Special Collections & Preservation Department prior to visiting. Upon arrival, researchers will also be asked to fill out a registration form and provide photo identification.

Use

In consultation with a curator, reproductions may be made upon request. Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from a curator. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The Cobblestone Structures of Wayne County Collection was donated on October 14, 2010 by Verlyn Klahn, his brother Dr. John Klahn (UR1957), and Dr. Klahn's wife Mona (UR1960).

Preferred Citation

[Item title, item date], Cobblestone Structures of Wayne County Project, D.435, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester